Richmond Arts and Ideas Festival is back for another summer of dance, music, exhibitions, theatre and more. Throughout Richmond (and beyond), artists, organisations and communities will explore the theme Cultural Reforesting.
I turned up to the Richmond Arts and Ideas Festival launch party not quite knowing what to expect—but the moment I stepped in, it was clear this wasn’t your typical art-world affair. The atmosphere was bright and easy, with music in the background, people laughing, catching up, and just genuinely happy to be there. It had that rare mix of laid-back and buzzing, like the first proper day of summer. I even ended up having a little dance because why not?
The atmosphere was lively, the room buzzing with artists, locals, and curious newcomers all eager to be part of something bigger than just another arts event.
And it is bigger. This year’s festival, which runs until 29th June, carries the bold and beautiful theme of Cultural Reforesting, a call to renew our relationship with nature, community, and creativity. It’s not just a programme; it’s a collective breath of fresh air for the borough.
One of the opening night highlights for me was discovering Powerjam, a youth-focused nonprofit that supports young musicians in developing bands and performing at professional levels. Their featured act, a group called Blues, absolutely lit up the stage. There was soul, confidence, and that lovely, gritty honesty only teenage musicians can bring. I couldn’t help myself! Yes, I had a bit of a dance. And judging by the smiles around me, I wasn’t alone.
That’s what makes this festival special: it’s grounded in joy and connection, but never afraid to dig deeper.
Across the next two weeks, the festival unfurls like a rich tapestry. It’s not just about performance—it’s about ideas. One of the most intriguing offerings is Memory of Birds (13–15 June) by Lebanese artist Tania El Khoury, an intimate guided experience created with a trauma therapist, inviting us to reckon with political violence and memory in contested lands. It’s reflective, even meditative—a very different rhythm from the opening party, but equally compelling.
Another immersive experience I’m planning to attend is ORIGIN (13–22 June), by A Right/Left Project. It’s a deep-listening, sensory installation designed to slow us down. With artists associated with Punchdrunk behind it, I expect nothing short of transporting. The press release calls it “a crossover between art and wellness”, a phrase that instantly caught my attention. It’s rare for an arts festival to give us permission to stop, listen, and simply be.
One event I find particularly moving is Sancho & Me (25 June), presented by actor and author Paterson Joseph. The story of Charles Ignatius Sancho—a man born on a slave ship who went on to become a writer, voter, and beloved Londoner—has deep ties to
Richmond. Joseph brings history to life through dramatized readings and reflections, reframing the landscape we walk through every day.
And then, there’s the Summer Solstice celebration (21 June), where artist duo Ackroyd & Harvey invite us to gather around a circle of oak trees grown from the acorns of Joseph Beuys’ legendary “7000 Oaks”. There’ll be singing, rituals, placard-making. It sounds part protest, part celebration, part midsummer dream.
More than anything, what I’ve felt at Richmond Arts and Ideas Festival so far is a sense of belonging. It’s as if the festival whispers: this space is for you. Whether you’re dancing with Powerjam, meditating with Tania El Khoury, or wandering through an AR riverscape, you’re invited to reflect, feel, and maybe even imagine a better world.
And really, isn’t that what art is for?